Narrative:A Shorts S.25 Sunderland 3 flying boat, registered G-AGKY, sustained substantial damage in an aborted takeoff off Calshot, Isle of Wight.The accident occurred at night while the aircraft was attempting to takeoff from the Solent on the first leg of a scheduled service from Southampton to Madeira via Lisbon. The captain found that he was unable to maintain a straight course so the takeoff was discontinued about half way along the flare path.The port wing dipped sharply and its float struck the water. The aircraft swung to port and the port wing was submerged to the outer engine. The aircraft subsequently capsized and sank.

Probable Cause:

OPINION: "The accident was due to an error of airmanship by the captain in that he did not ascertain the cross-wind component and in consequence attempted to take-off under conditions with which he could not contend. The contributory factors were (i) The control officer misinformed the captain of the relationship between the wind and the flare path at the time of take-off. (ii) The sudden deterioration of the weather during the take-off."